Shelter system of clustered modular enclosures

ABSTRACT

A prefabricated, modular shelter system that utilizes a series of identical enclosures, each made from barrier panels connected to define the shape of a modifiable dodecagon prism. The top cover of each enclosure can be flat or peaked at the center. The lightweight components are easily transported, assembled, disassembled, and/or re-assembled. The design allows two or many enclosures to cluster together without interstitial triangle prism volumes forming among them. Interior space within a cluster of enclosures can be increased, decreased, or re-arranged by simple addition, removal, or relocation of enclosures. Though the enclosures are each identical in shape, they can create a limitless variety of spatial areas and configurations, thus adapting to varied uses and requirements.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is entitled to the benefit of Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/235,233 filed Sep. 25, 2000.

BACKGROUND

[0002] 1. Field of Invention

[0003] This invention relates to structures and enclosures for theprotective containment and protection of goods, vegetation or animalsfrom the elements or outside predators; and for the containment ofpredator beings from the outside world.

[0004] 2. Description of Prior Art

[0005] Many fields of human endeavor make use of physical barriers thatseparate, protect, and/or contain goods, vegetation, or animals. Thebarriers can be as basic as a fence or more complex enclosures, such ascorrals or cages or actual buildings.

[0006] Prior patents for shelters and enclosures of one type or anotherare principally based on orthogonal 90-degree ground plans in which asquare or rectangle (or groups of squares or rectangles) are marked onthe ground. Then square or rectangular shelters and enclosures areconstructed on this ground plan. This 90-degree way of thinking istraditional in Western society and generally considered the simplest wayof approaching the issue. It is so engrained into our thinking that ithas become the unconscious background assumption from which we approachmost problems of designing such shelters. I will show that the use oforthogonal 90-degree ways of defining spatial enclosures is inherentlymore wasteful of materials than are plans based on a differentgeometrical premise.

[0007] There have been, over the years, a few patents issued forbuilding and shelter systems using geometries other than the 90-degreesystems. They are not widely used principally because they have beenshown to be very complicated, high-tech modular systems. In short, theyare costly to produce, construct, and maintain in a reliable way.

[0008] Several types of animal and plant enclosures have been proposed.For example: U.S. Pat. No.727,541 to Hayes (1903), U.S. Pat. No.2,051,643 to Morrison (1936), U.S. Pat. No. 4,016,833 to Ray (1977),U.S. Pat. No. 4,067,547 to Peters (1978), U.S. Pat. No. 4,068,404 toSheldon (1978), U.S. Pat. No. 5,551,372 to Nicholls (1996), U.S. Pat.No. 6,073,587 to Hill, et al (2000), are examples of shade structures,corral fences, cages, and shelters based on an orthogonal 90-degreeground plan layout pattern and ways of fabricating enclosures. Thoughcommon, the orthogonal plan layout pattern remains a wasteful way toenclose an area of ground space, and is, therefore, an inefficient wayto make modular clustered enclosures. The basic reason for thiswastefulness is that a square requires more perimeter length to enclosea certain area than do other useful polygons.

[0009] In previous efforts to improve efficiency, patents such as U.S.Pat. No. 2,886,855 to Petter (1959), U.S. Pat. No. 3,974,600 to Pearce(1976), U.S. Pat. No. 5,448,868 to Lalvani (1995), offer interesting,though complicated, high-tech systems for the fabrication andconstruction of enclosures. Systems such as these, if actually producedwould be extremely costly to fully develop as well as complicated anddifficult to construct.

[0010] Fundamental Geometric Considerations:

[0011] It is a universally known geometric fact that, on a planarsurface, a circle encloses the greatest possible area with the minimumamount of perimeter length. At the opposite end of the scale, and withinthe family of regular polygons, an equilateral triangle is known toenclose the least interior surface area with the greatest amount ofperimeter length. Each member of the family of regular polygons fallsbetween these polar limits. TABLE 1 Certain Selected Polygons-Percentageof Increased Perimeter Length Required to Enclose an Identical InteriorArea. % increase of perimeter length Polygon to enclose unit area Circle  0% Dodecagon (12-edges) 1.0% Decagon (10-edges) 1.2% Octagon (8-edges)2.7% Hexagon (6-edges) 5.0% Pentagon (5-edges) 8.0% Square (4-edges)13.0%  Triangle (3-edges) 29.0% 

[0012] See: Williams, Robert. The Geometric Foundation of NaturalStructure: A Sourcebook of Design. New York: Dover. 1978. Pp. 31-41.

[0013] As can be seen from the above table, the basic geometry of thesquare requires 13% more perimeter length to enclose the same interiorarea as does the circle. The 90-degreeness of the square has an inherentinefficiency when compared to a circle and other polygons.

[0014] It is true that within the orthogonal family itself, the squareis the most efficient geometric form. For example, only 16 miles ofperimeter fencing is required to enclose 16 square miles of area with asquare four miles on a side, while 34 miles of perimeter fencing isrequired to enclose 16 square miles of area with a rectangle that is 1mile by 16 miles. From this brief discussion it can be understood thatif one wishes to fence or enclose a certain area efficiently, the use ofa circular ground plan would be the most efficient way to accomplish thetask. The issue changes only slightly if one wishes to enclose an areawith clustered multiple polygons.

[0015] When circles are clustered together, an interstitial area appearsamong every three clustered circles. In this instance, the circle losessome of its efficiency because of the interstitial areas. Though thiswasteful condition is somewhat remedied by clustering squares orrectangles, other more efficient remedies immediately present themselves(see Table 1).

[0016] Of the family of regular polygons, only three—the triangle, thesquare, and the hexagon—possess the geometry necessary to clusteridentical polygons together to cover a planar area without leaving openinterstitial areas among them. (Williams. 1978. Op. cit. Pp. 35-6) FromTable 1 it can be extrapolated that a clustering of hexagons wouldrequire less total perimeter length to cover a given area than either aclustering of squares or a clustering of triangles.

[0017] Now consider altering clusters of triangles, squares, andhexagons to become clusters of triangle prisms, square prisms (boxes),and hexagon prisms. The same relationships regarding their relativeeconomies hold true. A clustering of hexagonal prisms would require lessperimeter surface areas than either a cluster of triangle prisms orsquare prisms.

[0018] In prior art, some examples of enclosures with hexagonal groundplans are U.S. Pat. No. 4,546,583 to Hussar (1985), U.S. Pat. No.4,896,165 to Koizumi (1990), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,884,437 to Olsen(1999). While these examples of show an increased efficiency inperimeter area over the orthogonal 90-degree systems of square prisms, Iwill show that even more efficient clustered enclosures are possiblewith the combined use of 12-sided dodecagons and dodecagon prisms thatare modified slightly as they cluster together, to become hexagonalprisms. It is with the combined use of the geometry of both the hexagonand the dodecagon that the greatest efficiency of perimeter length toarea enclosed by clustered polygons can be achieved.

[0019] The dodecagon has appeared only twice in patents relating toshelter or building constructions systems. U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,941 toMorfin & Rodolfo (1998) shows a stacked structure with a twelve-sidedperimeter for an automated parking garage. U.S. Pat. No. 5,154,032 toRitter (1992) makes use of the dodecagon prism as part of a module forsmall building blocks. In both of these cases the use of the dodecagonappears to be a random selection of a polygon. Any polygon with a largenumber of sides could be substituted for the dodecagon used in thesepatents. Both of these applications are far removed from the presentinvention.

SUMMARY

[0020] In accordance with the present invention, a shelter system ofindividual and clustered modular enclosures, each enclosure with aboundary of twelve structural barrier panels, detachably interconnectedto define a modifiable dodecagon prism.

[0021] Objects and Advantages

[0022] Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the presentinvention are:

[0023] (a) To provide a system of clustered modular enclosures in whicheach enclosure in a cluster encloses the greatest possible interiorfloor area with the least amount of perimeter panel surface area.

[0024] (b) To provide a system of clustered modular enclosures composedof a minimum inventory of standardized modular components of strong andlightweight materials.

[0025] (c) To provide a system of clustered modular enclosures, whichare relatively easy to assemble by one person with a minimum of tools.

[0026] (d) To provide a system of clustered modular enclosures, whichcan be easily anchored to the ground for long term use at a specificsite.

[0027] (e) To provide a system of clustered modular enclosures, which isresistant to severe environmental factors, such as intense heat andcold, winds and earthquakes.

[0028] (f) To provide a system of clustered modular enclosures in whichadditional enclosures can be easily added to an existing cluster ofenclosures, as needed.

[0029] (g) To provide a system of clustered modular enclosures in whichsingle enclosures can be easily removed from an existing cluster or berelocated to another area of a cluster.

[0030] (h) To provide a system of clustered modular enclosures in whichthe standardized modular components are re-usable.

[0031] (i) To provide a system of clustered modular enclosures, whichhave the inherent ability to be close-clustered, thereby allowing amaximum of six enclosures to surround any individual enclosure.

[0032] (j) To provide a system of clustered modular enclosures, whichhave the ability to be random-clustered, whereby the enclosures can belocated in a manner to avoid encapsulating trees, buildings, and thelike.

[0033] (k) To provide a system of clustered modular enclosures in whichthe interior barrier panels can be opened to create a single or numerouslarger interior spaces.

[0034] (l) To provide a system of clustered modular enclosures in whichan entire cluster, or selected portions of a cluster, can bedisassembled, moved, and reassembled in another location.

[0035] (m) To provide a system of clustered modular enclosures, whichfunction reliably with low maintenance.

[0036] Further objects and advantages are to provide a system ofclustered modular enclosures which are simple to use and relativelyinexpensive to manufacture. Further objects and advantages will presentthemselves from a consideration of the following description anddrawings.

DRAWING FIGURES

[0037]FIG. 1 shows a single enclosure.

[0038]FIGS. 2A and 2B shows clamps for connecting barrier panels.

[0039]FIG. 3 shows the hinged motion of barrier panel frames.

[0040]FIG. 4 shows the connection of tension members to a ring deviceand top clamp at the corner of two barrier panel frames.

[0041]FIGS. 5A and 5B shows the basic dodecagon prism form of twelveconnected barrier panels.

[0042]FIGS. 6A and 6B shows Prior Art planar clusters of dodecagonprisms with triangle prism interstitial volumes.

[0043]FIG. 7 shows the geometric relationship between a dodecagon prismand a hexagon prism.

[0044]FIGS. 8A and 8B shows 2-clustered enclosures.

[0045]FIGS. 9A and 9B shows 3-clustered enclosures.

[0046]FIGS. 10A and 10B shows 7-clustered enclosures.

[0047]FIG. 11 shows an open cluster of six enclosures.

[0048]FIG. 12 shows a linear cluster of four enclosures.

[0049]FIG. 13 shows a random cluster of six enclosures.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

[0050]20 barrier panel assembly

[0051]22 structural perimeter frame

[0052]24 barrier panel interior s urfa ce

[0053]26 access door

[0054]28 post

[0055]30 tension member

[0056]32 tension members at top of post

[0057]34 turnbuckle

[0058]36 ground anchor means

[0059]38 tension member

[0060]40 top cover

[0061]42 dodecagon perimeter boundary of an enclosure

[0062]44 top clamp

[0063]46 bottom clamp

[0064]48 clamp front plate

[0065]50 clamp back plate

[0066]52 bolt

[0067]54 ring device

[0068]56 triangle prism

[0069]58 interface

[0070]60 interface outer edge

[0071]62 indentation area

[0072]64 dodecagon prism

[0073]66 hexagon prism

DESCRIPTION

[0074]FIGS. 1 through 4—Preferred Embodiment

[0075] A preferred embodiment of my invention is a shelter system ofmodular space enclosing cages or paneled enclosures that can clustertogether in a highly economical way. Each individual enclosure (FIG. 1)has a basic perimeter boundary 42 in the shape of a dodecagon. Eachindividual enclosure is made of twelve barrier panels 20 connected toform the shape of a modifiable dodecagon prism. The unique method ofclustering two or more enclosures allows for the complete removal offrom two to many barrier panels 20 depending on the number of enclosuresin a cluster. In addition, the close-clustering of three or moreenclosures causes the interstitial wasted spaces, usually formed amongany three close-clustered enclosures of similar dodecagon geometry, todisappear completely. Thus, the shelter system becomes increasingly moreeconomical as more space is enclosed.

[0076] The components of the shelter system are preferably modular.major components are securely joined, though easily detachable from oneanother. Thus the enclosures are adapted for convenient disassembly,transport, and re-assembly.

[0077] An individual enclosure (FIG. 1) is constructed from five groupsof components:

[0078] (1) An assembly of twelve orthogonal barrier panels 20. Eachbarrier panel consists of a structural perimeter frame 22 with suitablyattached interstitial fence, grill, great, rigid or flexible wall orother barrier surface 24. An access door 26 is provided on one or morebarrier panels 20 on an enclosure.

[0079] (2) A post 28, equal to or somewhat higher than the verticalheight of assembled barrier panels 20. Twelve tension members 30 aresuitably attached at or near the top end 32 of post 28. In the preferredembodiment of my invention, tension members 30 are cables welded to post28 or ropes tied to post 28. A turnbuckle 34 is located at theapproximate center of each tension member 30.

[0080] (3) Twelve ground-anchor means 36, each with a tension member 38suitably connected into the ground. In the preferred embodiment, anchormeans 36 is a stake or a screw-anchor with thimble eye at the exposedtop end. A turnbuckle 34 is located at the approximate center of eachtension member 38.

[0081] (4) A top cover 40, made substantially of a suitable modular orfoldable material, net, or grill and preferably extending to the topperimeter boundary 42 of enclosure (FIG. 1). Top cover 40 is attached totop perimeter boundary 42 by ropes, clips, rings, or other suitableattachment means.

[0082] (5) Various attachment means, such as clamps (FIGS. 2A, 2B),“nicol” clips, “hog rings”, shackles, turnbuckles, ropes, twine, andcables to conveniently attach components to one another and to allow forthe simple detachment of components from one another.

[0083] An individual enclosure (FIG. 1) is assembled in the followingway:

[0084] (1) Each barrier panel 20 is connected to two other barrierpanels along opposite parallel edges of frame 22 with clamps 44, 46located near the top and bottom of joined panel frames 22. In apreferred embodiment, clamps 44, 46 allow for possible rotation (FIG. 3)of any two barrier panels 20 about a pivot axis parallel to connectededges of frames 22. Each of clamps 44,46 is made of a front plate 48, aback plate 50, and a bolt 52. Top clamp 44 is fitted with a ring device54 welded to bolt 52. Tension members 30,38 are attached to device 54(FIG. 4). Twelve suitably connected barrier panels 20 (FIG. 5A) definethe shape of a dodecagon prism 64 (FIG. 5B).

[0085] (2) In a preferred embodiment, post 28 is approximately verticaland placed at the approximate center of the enclosed space defined bytwelve connected barrier panels 20. Each tension member 30 ties post 28with one upper corner of perimeter boundary 42 at device 54 of clamp 44.

[0086] (3) Each of twelve ground-anchor means 36 is located outsideperimeter 42 of enclosure (FIG. 1) at a distance away from the perimeterand approximately in line with post 28 and one pair of joined edges oftwo barrier panels 20. Each tension member 38 connects the ground-anchormeans 36 with one upper corner of perimeter boundary 42 at device 54.Turnbuckles 34 are adjusted to establish equal tension to tensionmembers 30, 38

[0087] (4) Top cover 40 is preferably stationed on top of the enclosure(FIG. 1). Alternatively, top cover 40 may connect to tension members 30from below with ties, clips, “hog rings” or other suitable attachmentmeans. In either case, the perimeter of top cover 40 attaches toperimeter boundary 42 with cords, ropes, “hog rings” or other suitableattachment means.

[0088] Geometric considerations for clusters of modular enclosures(FIGS. 5 through 7):

[0089] In prior art (Williams. Op. cit. p. 39), when three or moredodecagon prisms are close-clustered together in a two-dimensional array(FIG. 6A), triangle prism interstitial volumes 56 appear within acluster. In a two-dimensional array, it is possible for a maximum of sixdodecagon prisms (FIG. 5B) to surround any given dodecagon prism andmore triangle prism interstitial volumes 56 appear among them.

[0090] My shelter system eliminates triangle prism volumes 56 amongclose-clustered dodecagon prisms by using a new combination of thegeometries of both the dodecagon prism 64 and the hexagon prism 66. Byconnecting every other vertex of the top and bottom dodecagon boundaries42 of a dodecagon prism 64, a hexagon prism 66 is defined (FIG. 7). Bymaking use of the geometric relationship between these two prisms, it ispossible co cluster them in a way that eliminates all triangleinterstitial volumes 56.

[0091] A 2-enclosure cluster (FIGS. 8A and 8B) is assembled in thefollowing way:

[0092] Barrier panels 20 of a single enclosure (FIG. 1) assemble aspreviously described, except that one pair of barrier panels 20 areunconnected and rotate slightly toward the center of the enclosure untilthey are partially overlapped and become approximately parallel to oneanother (FIG. 8A). The nearly parallel, partially overlapped panels 20define the interface 58 between two enclosures. The overlapped panels 20connect together with clamp 44 at the top edges and clamp 46 at thebottom edges of frames 22. Barrier panels 20 of a second enclosure (FIG.8A) are assembled as described previously, minus two barrier panels 20.

[0093] Panels 20 of the second enclosure are connected to panels 20 ofthe first enclosure at interface 58 made by two barrier panels 20 of themodified first enclosure. Clamps 44, 46 connect the two enclosures atthe outer edges 60 of interface 58.

[0094] In a preferred embodiment, post 28, anchor means 36, tensionmembers 30, 38, and top cover 40 are added to and suitably connected toeach enclosure (FIG. 8B).

[0095] A close-clustered 3-enclosure (FIGS. 9A and 9B) is assembled inthe following way:

[0096] At one of the two indentation areas 62 on a 2-enclosure (FIG.9A), two pairs of barrier panels 20 are disconnected. Both pairs of twounconnected panels rotate slightly, each pair toward the center of theirrespective enclosure, until each pair overlap and become nearlyparallel. The two panels 20 of each enclosure are connected with clamp44 at the top edges and clamp 46 at the bottom edges. Two new interfaces58 are thus defined.

[0097] Barrier panels 20 of a third enclosure are assembled as describedpreviously, minus four barrier panels 20. These eight panels 20 of thethird enclosure connect to panels of the two-cluster enclosure, suchthat the third enclosure meets at two interfaces 58 made at indentationarea 62 of the two-cluster enclosure. Clamps 44, 46 connect the thirdenclosure to the two-cluster enclosure at interface outer edges 60.

[0098] In a preferred embodiment, post 28, anchor means 36, tensionmembers 30, 38, and top cover 40 are added to and suitably connected toeach enclosure. (FIG. 9B).

[0099] A close-clustered 7-enclosure (FIGS. 10A and 10B) is assembled inthe following way:

[0100] In close-clustering, a maximum of six enclosures surrounds asingle enclosure (FIG. 10A). In this kind of cluster, the centralenclosure becomes modified from its original dodecagon prism shape 64into the shape of a hexagonal prism 66. The interstitial triangle prisms56 are non-existent.

[0101] In a preferred embodiment, post 28, anchor means 36, tensionmembers 30, 38, and top cover 40 are added to and suitably connected toeach enclosure. (FIG. 10B).

[0102] In any group of clustered enclosures, any or all of barrier panelsurfaces 24 forming interior spaces may be removed to create larger openspaces inside any cluster. Access doors 26 can be added or removed, asnecessary.

[0103] Examples of other possible clusters of enclosures:

[0104] Open-packed clusters (FIG. 11), linear clusters (FIG. 12), and/orrandom packings (FIG. 13) are a few of the many ways the enclosures canbe clustered.

[0105] Though certain novel features of this invention have beendescribed and drawn, it is understood that various omissions,substitutions and/or alterations in the forms and details of theinvention and its operation can be made by those skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0106] Advantages

[0107] From the above description, the reader can understand a number ofadvantages as evident:

[0108] (a) A basic enclosure can be prefabricated in large quantitiesand in many sizes;

[0109] (b) Clustered enclosures allow spaces to be modified dramaticallyor incrementally;

[0110] (c) Prefabrication of the simple components can keep productioncosts to a minimum;

[0111] (d) The shelter system can be used for many varied purposes: tocontain birds and climbing animals, keep predators away from protectedplants or animals, and many other uses;

[0112] (e) The components of the shelter system can be light-weight,thereby allowing a solitary person to be able to erect an enclosure or acluster of enclosures with relative ease;

[0113] (f) Depending on requirements, the system can be pre-fabricatedto allow sun, air, rain, and/or wind to flow inside. The system can alsobe made to be weatherproof.

[0114] Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope

[0115] As the reader can appreciate, this shelter system of clusteredmodular enclosures is designed to be manufactured in numerous basicsizes and for many differing purposes. The system can be made in a sizesmall enough to be carried by one person. On a small scale the systemcan be used as modular small animal cages or for protecting small plantsfrom outside predation. The system can also be manufactured in sizeslarge enough to contain large animals. The system could be placed in anatural setting in an almost limitless variety of large clusteredspatial configurations to protect, for example, young endangered animaland plant species from outside predation by birds and other predators.

[0116] The system's simplicity of design, its great flexibility ofpossible spatial configurations, and its lightweight modularity make thesystem ideal for ease of erection by one person with a minimum ofcommonly available tools. In any location, the system allows additionalenclosures to be added, subtracted, and relocated with relative ease. Itis reliable and relatively maintenance-free.

[0117] The system can also be manufactured with weatherproof topcovering and barrier panels so that it can be used in emergencyconditions for housing, hospitals, and the like. Even in these cases,the system retains its simplicity of erection and its flexibility ofexpansion, contraction, and relocation.

[0118] The components can be manufactured at low cost and can be re-usedagain and again.

[0119] Because of its special geometry the system offers great economyin the use of materials. It surpasses all of the 90-degree orthogonalsystems, of tents, cages, and shelters in the basic economy of the useof materials. Because of its simplicity of design and small inventory oftypes of components, manufacturing costs can be kept to a minimum.

[0120] The system is, in addition, designed to touch the earth lightly:that is, the minimum perimeter boundary, the lightweight tension membersand simple ground anchors allow for minimal disturbance in a naturalsetting. These features, particularly the ground anchors and tensionmembers, thoroughly stabilize the enclosures and make them highlyresistant to damage by severe weather, such as high winds andearthquakes. In short, all of the components of this strong andversatile shelter system can be manufactured at low cost and can beconstructed with minimum impact on the environment. The components ofthe shelter system are re-useable, can be easily erected, modified, andmoved to respond to many requirements and changing needs.

[0121] The above description of the varied uses and benefits of thisshelter system of clustered modular enclosures should be viewed asillustrations of some of the preferred embodiments. The descriptionspresented should not be construed as limiting the scope of the system.

I claim:
 1. A multipurpose shelter system of clustered modular spatial enclosures, each of said enclosures comprising twelve orthogonal barrier panels hingeably connected together to define a modifiable dodecagon prism; and connecting means for hingeably connecting said barrier panels.
 2. A shelter system as recited in claim 1, comprising a plurality of said barrier panels making enclosures of three kinds: (a) a basic single modifiable enclosure, having a dodecagon floor area, (b) clustered modifiable enclosures, each having floor areas in the shape of a hexagon, (c) clustered modifiable enclosures, each having interior floor areas in the shape of portions of a dodecagon as well as in the shape of portions of a hexagon.
 3. A shelter system as recited in claim 2, wherein each enclosure comprises: (a) twelve orthogonal barrier panels, detachably connected to define a modifiable dodecagon prism, (b) a post at the approximate center of each said enclosure, (c) twelve tension members, each having one end suitably connected near the top of said post, and the opposite end of each said tension member suitably connected near one of the twelve top vertices of a perimeter boundary of said enclosure, (d) twelve ground-anchor means, each outside of said perimeter boundary of said enclosure, and suitably connected into the ground approximately in line with said post and one vertex of said dodecagon floor shape, (e) twelve tension members, each suitably attached at one end to said anchor means and suitably attached at the opposite end to the nearest of said twelve top vertices of said perimeter boundary of said enclosure, and (f) a top cover suitably connected to said perimeter boundary of said enclosure.
 4. A shelter system as recited in claim 1, whereby said enclosures cluster together such that a maximum of six surround one in a manner that eliminates all triangle prism interstitial volumes.
 5. A shelter system as recited in claim 3 wherein said barrier panels, posts, tension members, anchor means and covers, are prefabricated, modular, connectable, and separable, thereby allowing for modification, transport, assembly, disassembly and re-assembly.
 6. A shelter system as recited in claim 1, having each of said barrier panels comprising: (a) a structural perimeter frame, (b) a suitably attached barrier panel interior surface, (c) a suitable means for connecting said barrier panel interior surface to said perimeter frame.
 7. A shelter system as recited in claim 1, having: (a) one or a plurality of openable and closeable access openings into each of said enclosures, (b) two barrier panels between any two clustered clustered enclosures.
 8. A shelter system as recited in claim 7, whereby said barrier panels have means for modifying or removing said barrier panel interior surface from said perimeter frames to make a large open space or a plurality of large open spaces. 